Foldable cardboard beach table



June 1, 1954 FRUM 2,680,047

FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE Filed June 1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HERBERT D. FFUM ATTOR EY June 1, H. D. FRUM FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE Filed June 1, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HER ERT D. FRUM Fz'g [4 ZE SW ATTO R Patented June 1, 1954 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE CARDBOARD BEACH TABLE Herbert D. Frum, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application June 1, 1951, Serial No. 229,403

term cardboard will be used to denote the various materials from which the table may be formed.

It is proposed to so construct the new table that when assembled it is very strong and may support jugs of liquid, dishes and foods.

It is proposed to provide the new beach table with legs supporting the ends or corners of the table top of the table, and if needed, additional legs may be used for supporting central areas of the table top.

The new construction embodied in this invention resides in forming the table top with angular portions cut out and folded or bent downwards of said table top for receiving legs of angle shape for supporting said table top. It is proposed to construct said legs of cardboard. Said legs have their top ends mating and engaging in said angle portions. Adhesive tape or other types of tape, or other fastening means may be used for releasably attaching the legs to the angle portions.

Additional objects of this invention reside in providing the table top with side flanges for stiffening purposes. The legs may be provided with integral prongs by which they may be secured firmly in position and connected wtih said table top.

Another object of this invention is the con-' struction of a foldable cardboard beach table wherein the folded and attached parts are locked in place by tongue-in-slot connections.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a beach table constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of one of the corners of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 2.

3 Claims. (01. 311-35) Fig. 4 is an end view looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the side flange and end extension thereof opened up and flattened out.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line l--1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a beach table constructed in accordance wth a modified form of this invention, this view illustrating but one corner of the table, the other corners being identical in construction.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the table shown in Fig. 8, but illustrated with the legs removed and with the prongs shown in open positions.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of Fig. 11 but illustrated with the prongs in folded positions.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of the top portion of one of the corner legs of the table.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line |4,l i of Fig. 8.

The beach table, in accordance with this invention, includes a table top it of rectangular shape formed of cardboard and having side flanges l I on opposite sides extending downwards at right angles to the table top it. End extensions 12 are formed upon the ends of the side flanges II and in the assembled position of the table extend at right angles to the side flanges I l and engage beneath the ends of said table top H]. Prongs l3 are formed on the tops of said end extensions I2 and normally engage through slots [4 formed in the table top 20.

Corner legs I5 of angle shape formed of card board have their top ends mating and engaging in the right angles of said side flanges H and end extensions l2. These legs i5 are formed from flat strips of cardboard bent along their longitudinal centers. The legs 15 are releasably attached to the side flanges l l and end extensions I2 with pieces of adhesive tape 16. The adhesive tape l6 may be pulled off or torn to release the legs l5. The prongs l3 have tapered sides, see Fig. 4, in order to be larger at their top ends. These top ends are slightly larger than the slots I4 so that it is necessary to force the prongs l3 through the slots it, when the table is assembled. This forced fit serves to hold 3 the parts from coming apart. The prongs I3 are also formed with slits I1 dividing them into side sections I 8 which may be bent right and left, as clearly shown on the drawing, so as to further insure a firm connection between the prongs I3 and the table top I0.

One or more central legs 20 are provided for supporting the central area of the table top I0. As shown in Fig. 1, two such legs 20 are used. Each of these legs 20 is formed from a strip of cardboard bent along its longitudinal center line to produce the angle efiect. The top end of each leg 29 is provided with a pair of prongs 2I located at the sides of the arms thereof. These prongs 2! are adapted to engage through slots 22 formed in the table top Iii. The prongs 2| have tapered sides and are slightly larger than the openings 22 so that it is necessary to force them through the openings 22 when assembling the table. The prongs 2; are also formed with a central split 23 so that side sections 24 thereof may be bent right and left.

The operation and use of the beach table may be understood from the following:

In Fig. 1 the table is shown completely assem' bled. It should be recognized that the side flanges Ii reinforce and stiffen the table top it. Preferably, these side flanges I I are formed along the long sides of the table top H). The side flanges I I and the side extensions i 2 form angle portions into which the top portions of the angle shaped legs I5 mate and engage. The top portions of the legs I5 are attached to the side flanges II and side extensions I2 with adhesive tape It, or similar tape, so as to securely hold the legs I5 in position. The central legs Zii support the central area of the table top I to prevent sagging and make it possible for the table to support relatively heavy objects such as jugs of liquid, and dishes with food.

The beach table may be used once and then discarded, or if desired, the legs I and 29 may be removed from their connection with the table top It and the table may be stored or carted away and used a number of times. The legs l5 and are flattened out and the table top I0 is also flattened, out by opening the side flanges II and extensions I2. This makes it easy to store the parts of the table.

In Figs. 8-14 inclusive another beach table is illustrated constructed in accordance with another form of this invention. This beach table includes a table top 25 of rectangular shape formed of cardboard and having side flanges 21 along its sides and ends extending downwards at right angles to the table top '25. The side flanges 2'! at each corner of the table top 26 are constructed as follows: One of the side flanges 21 is provided with an end extension 28' which has prongs 29 engaging through slots 39 formed in the other of said adjacent side flanges 2! for securing said adjacent side flanges 27 together at right angles to each other. Each prong 29 has a central section SI, a top section 32, and a bottom section 33. Each slot 363 has a vertical central section 35, a horizontal top section 35, and a horizontal bottom section 36.

The prong 29 is engaged in the slot in the following manner: The central section SI of the prong 29 is first bent at right angles to the end extension 28 and then the top section 32 and the bottom section 33 are bent at right angles to the central section 31, as illustrated in Fig. 12. Now, the various said sectionsof the prong 23 are aligned with the various sections of the slot 30, as follows: Section 32 is aligned with section 35, section 3; is aligned with section 34, and section 33 is aligned with section 36. The end extension 28 may now be pressed against the adjacent side flange 21' to force the prong 29 through the slot 30. The prong 29 is next opened up flat against the inner face of the adjacent side flange 21, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10. To do this the prong 29 must first be bent around so that it extends outwards of the slot 30 in relation to the end extension 28 and then the sections 32 and 33 are moved flat against the side flange 2?.

Each corner of the table top 26 is provided with a leg 40 of angle shape formed of cardboard. These legs 46 have their top ends mating and engaging in the right angles between each pair of adjacent side flanges 2?. Means is provided for attaching said legs to said side flanges 21. This means includes a prong 33 cut out from the material of each flange 2? and cooperative with slots 39 out in the top portion of each leg 48. Each prong 38 has a central portion ll which is integral with the material of the side flange 21. Each prong 33 also has a top section 42 and a bottom section 43 which may be bent at right angles to the central section 4%. The central section II must be bent inwards at right angles to the side flange 21 in order to engage through the cooperative slot 39 of leg 4a. Each slot 39 has a central section 54, a top section 65, and a bottom section 15 to be engaged by the corresponding sections of the prong 38. After the prong 38 has been passed through the slot 39 it is bent outwards in relation to the corner of the table top 26 and is then opened up, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 10.

Central portions of the table top 26 are supported by additional central legs 47. Each of these legs 4'! is of angle shape and formed of cardboard. Each leg 41 is provided with a top prong 48 which are laced through slots 49 and 56, see Fig. 14, formed in the table top 26. The prongs d8 serve to connect the legs 4'! with the table top 26.

In Figs. 8-10 inclusive one corner of the table has been illustrated as it would appear in its operating condition. This table may be folded as follows: The leg 4? is removed by unlacing the prongs 48. The leg 49 may be removed by bending the sections 42 and 43 of the prongs 38 to positions at right angles to the central sections 4i, and then pivoting the bent prongs 38 towards the corner of the table top 25 to align same with the slots 39. The prongs 33 may now be forced through the slots 39 as the leg lil is pushed away from the adjacent faces of the side flanges 21. The leg 28 may now be removed.

The prong 23 may now be passed through the slot 36 by first bending the sections 32 and 33 at right angles to the central section SI, and then bending the central section 3: at right angles to the side extension 26 so that the folded prong 23 is aligned with the slot 36. The prong 29 may now be slipped through the slot 38 and then the side flanges 2? are disconnected and may be bent upwards into the plane of the table top 26.

The table is assembled by first connecting the side flanges 27, and then mounting the legs 49 and 41 into position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A beach table comprising a rectangular cardboard table top having downwardly extending side flanges on all four sides forming four 90 degree corners, a laterally extending end piece formed on one of said side flanges at each corner and being folded over upon the adjacent side flange at said corner, a U-shaped slot formed in each said adjacent side flange, a U-shaped key formed on each said end piece for insertion through said U-shaped slot, the arms of each said U-shaped key being foldable flat against the adjacent side flange through whose U-shaped slot it is inserted, and an angular leg mounted in each said corner against the arms of the U- shaped key in said corner to hold said arms flat against the adjacent side flange through which they are inserted, each side flange being provided adjacent each corner with an additional U-shaped key and each angular leg being provided with a pair of U-shaped slots to receive said additional U-shaped keys, the arms of said additional U-shaped keys being bent out of registration with said leg slots to prevent disengagement of said additional U-shaped keys from said legs and thereby to lock said legs against the side flanges of the table top.

2. A beach table in accordance with claim 1, wherein the table top, side flanges, end pieces on said side flanges, and U-shaped keys on said end pieces and additional U-shaped keys on said side flanges being all integral with each other and die-cut from a single sheet of cardboard, said side flanges being foldably joined to the side edges of the table top, said end pieces being foldably joined to the ends of said side flanges, the yokes of the U-shaped keys being foldably joined to said end pieces, the arms of said U- shaped keys being foldably joined to said yokes, the U-shaped additional keys being struck out of the side flanges, the yokes of said U-shaped additional keys being foldably joined to said side flanges, and the arms of said U-shaped additional keys being foldably joined to said last mentioned yokes.

3. A beach table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each leg is die-cut from a single sheet of cardboard, each said leg having a longitudinally extending folding line bisecting the same and forming two side wall portions on opposite sides of said folding line, said side wall portions being disposed at an angle of degrees relative to each other, each said leg being provided with one U-shaped slot die-cut into one of its side wall portions and a second U-shaped slot die-cut into the other of its side wall portions.

References Cited in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 560,957 Wilton May 26, 1896 1,618,803 Bokan Feb. 22, 1927 1,662,121 Moncriefl Mar. 13, 1928 1,854,663 Nebel Apr. 19, 1932 1,978,650 Shannon Oct. 30, 1934 2,138,112 Means Nov. 29, 1938 2,174,679 Zinser Oct. 3, 1939 2,232,466 McKeown Feb. 18, 1941 2,264,208 Inman Nov. 25, 1941 2,288,457 Inman June 30, 1942 2,456,964 Ledure Dec. 21, 1948 

